After a quiet period in which I felt the jockeys’ championship might be slipping away from me, I have managed to pull back Lyle’s lead to just five.
So, with five meetings to go, we both still have everything to play for, writes Muzi Yeni on Tabnews.
Today at Greyville we have the final major race meeting of the season with the running of the R1.5-million eLan Gold Cup as well as four Grade 1 races and the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet.
Championship challenger Muzi Yeni (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
There are lots of carryovers, two BiPots and two Jackpots so there are a number of good money-making exotics.
As far as the Gold Cup is concerned, my first selection is Roy Had Enough. He had a great run in the Durban July and an excellent win in the Derby and I think class will prevail. The form lines of the staying races have been quite strong and, as was the case last year, the top-weighted horses should come to the party.
My second selection is Doublemint with Anton Marcus up. He’s drawn well and has been competing in all the big features. My third choice and “little roughie” is Shenanigans. I love how he ran on from last in the Betting World 2200m. My fourth choice is Strathdon.
Muzi’s Gold Cup pick Roy Had Enough (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
I ride Flichity By Farr. She’s more a Trifecta and Quartet horse. I think she needs to receive more weight from the colts to be fully effective but you can’t write her off.
For the Place Accumulator go with the top four and add Flichity By Farr into the Pick 6.
Race 8 is the Mercury Sprint and I make Kasimir my best bet on the card. Last time the only reason he got beaten was because of the handicapping. This race is at weight-for-age and he is the best weighted horse. Banker him in all bets!
In the Champions Cup I’m going with “The Buffalo”. I just like the way Buffalo Bill Cody put Cirillo to bed last time. Rainbow Bridge cannot be left out, obviously, and for third I like Soqrat, who is one of my favourite horses.
For the PA go with Buffalo Bill Cody and Rainbow Bridge and I would add Soqrat into the Pick 6.
Let’s go back to the beginning. The meeting opens with a Juvenile Plate where unbeaten Alibi Guy will relish the distance. I would take Swingers and Exactas with Shango and my ride, Deer Park.
Race 2 is a MR 88 Handicap on the Polytrack and my first choice is Kapen Pride. My 2nd choice is my horse, Mr Greenlight. He caught me a little off guard last time but now I know him better and I feel more confident of what of to do.
In Race 3 I’ve gone with Maidens Prayer because of the Cockney Pride form line which has produced three winners and is very strong. My second choice is Yessiricanboogie with my ride, Impressive Duchess, for third. She is special to me as she was my 200th winner this season. This has been my best season to date and all I missed out on was a Grade 1 win. She gave me a very good feel and I also like the Winter Tour form line.
For the PA, however, you can banker Maidens Prayer.
In Race 4 I’ve gone with Alramz because of the Got The Greenlight form line and his decent draw. My second choice is De La Cruz and then Poinciana.
I feel Alramz and De La Cruz are good enough for the PA but for the Pick 6 put in Poinciana, African Warrior and Spring Break.
Gabor looks the runner to beat in Race 5. She ran a great race from a wide draw last time, which cost her, and she has a very good draw this time. True To Life had a great run back after a rest and I think this race could be her mission.
Those are my two for the Place Accumulator. For the Pick 6 add in Snow Palace, Castellano and Cockney Pride, despite her wide draw.
Muzi’s mount Kayden’s Pride is a danger (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
I like Eden Roc to win Race 6 but I do make my ride, Kayden’s Pride, the danger. Things went wrong last time and I just ended up too far back. He missed the break and when I tried to make a run on the inside, he made up ground quickly but I had to switch him again and he lost his whole rhythm.
He’s got a decent draw so add him into the PA with Eden Roc. For the Pick 6 include Double Alliance, Fools Gold, Got The Greenlight and Libery Hall.
In Race 10, based on her Durban July run, I will go with Miyabi Gold. Justin Snaith must also have a huge chance with Silvano’s Pride.
I ride Running Brave who I feel will go 2000m. I would not leave her or Lady In Black, out of my Jackpot.
In Race 11 I like Silver Maple who I make another good bet at the meeting. I think he was very unlucky last time and should be a Jackpot banker. If you don’t want to banker him, add in my ride, Thanksgiving, who could run a good first race on the Polytrack.
In Race 12 I really like my mount, Dalai’s Promise. I think she will take to the Polytrack, which she will find a lot better than the hard going at the Vaal. She has not put a foot wrong and she has the speed to win.
I think Filippo can follow her home. I also rate State Trooper and Basilius (scratched running in Race 11), if he can get over from a wide draw.
GREYVILLE
BEST BETS
RACE 8 KASIMIR
RACE 11 SILVER MAPLE
VALUE BET
RACE 2
KAPEN PRIDE
